Jack Levison
My friend Jack Levison is blogging now! You may know him from his scholarly work, most notably Filled with the Spirit, or you may have become acquainted with him through his more popular Fresh Air: The Holy Spirit for an Inspired Life (a book Daniel James Levy and I reviewed here). Maybe you haven’t read either of these books, and that would be a shame, but don’t miss out on his blog, because I am sure he’ll have plenty of wonderful insights to share there: spiritchatter.
In your opinion, if you had to choose one introductory book for the study of the New Testament, which book would you choose? When I was in seminary (an evangelical one) we used D.A. Carson and Douglas Moo, An Introduction to the New Testament. Many people I know would say that Raymond E. Brown’s An Introduction to the New Testament remains the best. Others might suggest Bart D. Ehrman’s The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. Tell me your preference (or favorite few if you have more than one).
I have introduced readers to Danny Zacharias’ iGreek app and his ParseGreek app. Both apps are helpful to those learning or refreshing their knowledge of Koine Greek. Today I want to say a bit about the app that I think is the most useful of them all. It is the one that if existed when I learned Greek I would have wanted the most: the FlashGreek app.
Why do I say this? Well, those who have learned languages don’t mind taking their textbook here or there, but it is a real pain to bring a large box of vocabulary flashcards with you to the coffee shop for study. This app removes that problem altogether.
The FlashGreek app allows users to test their knowledge of Greek vocabulary several different ways. One can begin with the most frequently used words in the New Testament. One could go by the principle parts. One could choose one of several Greek text books–including Mounce’s and Porter’s to name a few–so that the app will provide you with the vocabulary words that match the chapters of these books.
As you can see, there are several other options available as well, including whether or not you want audio, images to help you associate, examples to help your memory, and so forth.
I learned Greek in seminary using Mounce’s textbook. If I would have had this app I could have left that box of cards at home and brought my iPhone instead, choosing the cards that parallel the chapters of Mounce’s book:
As I mentioned above, you have options. This screen shot below shows you what it is like to answer a question with a few prompts. I had the Greek word for “now,” which is accompanied by an audio pronunciation of the word, and in this case a little clock picture to help me remember the word. If you prefer to not use these prompts then turn them off and it will be “old school” Greek words on the “front” with your English answer forthcoming.
As I have stated, I received these apps for review, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I wish they existed when I was learning Greek and I use them to refresh my memory. Next time you are about to take a large box of flash cards with you consider this app. You’re going to bring your smart phone with you, so you may as well save space and use your phone wisely! To learn more about the app, and how you can purchase it through iTunes, go here.
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
- Acts 1:11
Yesterday Dallas Willard, the popular Christian philosopher, and Geza Vermes, one of the most influential biblical scholars in recent memory, both died. There have been some fine tributes online that are worth sharing:
For Willard:
Dallas Willard, a Man from Another ‘Time Zone’ by John Ortberg
Dallas, We Love You by Scot McKnight
Farewell, Dallas Willard by Tony Jones
Thank you. You can rest Dallas Willard by Joe Thackwell
The Divine Conspirator: My Dallas Willard Story by Brian Zahnd
A Life Renovated for the Kingdom from IVP
For Vermes:
Geza Vermes, New Testament Scholar by James Crossley
Geza Vermes, 1923-2013 by Jim Davila
RIP Geza Vermes by Michael Pitkowsky
Geza Vermes, 1924-2013 by Mark Goodacre
Feel free to share others or your own comments and reflections
Brian LePort, JohnDave Medina, and Joshua Smith have all gone before me, writing on why they would identify as either E/evangelical, Roman Catholic, or Mennonite.
In this post, I will discuss my religious experience, Pentecostalism, how it is elusive to identity (and why that is an identity) and characteristics of a Pentecostal worldview.
Growing Up
Since my earliest years I have been in either neo-Pentecostal or Classical Pentecostal churches. At around the age of six, my parents started taking me to Christian Life Center, a large, multicultural, Classical Pentecostal, Assemblies of God community. It was in this community that I first became aware of God’s presence. Particularly in Children’s Church, I had encounters with the Holy Spirit that have shaped me. Much of who and what I believe today was because the encounters I had at those tear and snot drenched altars. These encounters continued throughout my younger years – whether in children’s church, youth group, adult service, or what was considered the promised land by most Pentecostal teenagers – youth camp.
At the age of 12, my dad became the outreach pastor at this church. Thus, involvement in church only escalated. The goal of my parents was and is to make the lives of the less-fortunate look a little more like the eschatalogical new heavens and earth by bringing the message of salvation, along with clothing, food, furniture, pool parties and cook-outs. Yes, I said pool parties and cook-outs (Pentecostals like, no, love food). Around this time I began playing drums for the youth group. Fast forward five years later and I’m interning, teaching Sunday school, and leading prayer meetings.
And then – seemingly out of the blue – I found myself doubting everything: God’s existence (and if he does exist, does he love me?), denominational identity, calling. Shortly thereafter, I began studying theology at Southeastern University. While I was studying there, I attended various churches. First, an emerging esque Christian & Missionary Alliance community. Thereafter I became a youth pastor at an Assemblies of God church. Sometime after this, I started attending the CMA church again, and then ended up serving as an intern at a liturgical Presbyterian church for almost two years. Still, after all of the diverse denominational experience, I consider myself P/pentecostal.
P/pentecostal?
What does it mean to be a “Pentecostal”? Much like Brian with Evangelicalism, I’m hesitant to use the term “Pentecostalism” with an upper-case “P”. Why? Well, there doesn’t seem to be a solid definition of what “Pentecostalism” is. Discussing Pentecostal identity is extremely nuanced. In discussing this matter, sociological and historical matters are almost as important – if not as important – as theology. In the West, Classical Pentecostal groups such as the Assemblies of God – my clan -, the Church of God, and the Church of God in Christ have attempted to define Pentecostalism by doctrinal affirmations. Defining markers of these groups are speaking in tongues and a pre-millenial eschatology. To the contrary, Pentecostal groups in the global South typically have a larger umbrella and would probably define Pentecostalism more as a way of doing theology as opposed to a fixed theology. Thus, the late Walter D. Hollenweger contends that we can talk about Pentecostalisms in the world.
A few stories that overlap can exemplify Hollenweger’s ‘Pentecostalisms’. Around April 1906, the Spirit moved powerfully at Azusa. People began to speak in other tongues. Charles Parham and William Seymour understood tongues-speech as a sign of Spirit baptism. A similar experience occurred on a different part of the globe. In April 1906, a revival led by Minnie Abrams broke out in Mutki, India. Similar to Azusa, people began speaking in other tongues. What makes this interesting is that there isn’t any known contact between Azusa and Mutki. Where Azusa and Mutki diverged was interpretation of the tongues phenomena. It’s interesting that where many at Azusa believed tongues denoted a sign of Spirit baptism, many at Mutki believed tongues to denote prayer to God. It wasn’t until January 1907 that Americans from the Azusa mission arrived in India and began to insist that tongues-speech is evidence of Spirit-baptism (See William K. Kay’s, Pentecostalism). While both groups had a similar experience, they both came to different interpretations of their experience. As of right now, I see Pentecostalism(s) similarly.
While interpretation and doctrinal formulation is important, I think Pentecostalism is to first be defined as a worldview. A Pentecostal worldview is one that has an expectancy to experience God in unexpected ways. As James K.A. Smith says, it is “openness to a God who exceeds our horizons of expectation and comes unexpectedly” (Thinking in Tongues, 34). People in both Azusa and Mutki had a similar worldview and a similar experience of the Spirit. Can we say that because they came to a different – albeit similar – interpretation of tongues-speech that one is Pentecostal and one isn’t?
As mentioned above, many have tried to define Pentecostalism in a number of ways. To define something is to give it borders, to make it exclusive. Ironically, I think the difficulty in determining what Pentecostalism is or isn’t has given it an identity of non-identity. In my opinion, because there are Pentecostalisms this has caused Pentecostals to remain extremely ecumenical. This is seen especially true in groups such as the Society for Pentecostal Studies. While the SPS focuses on the development of constructive Pentecostal theology, praxis, and worldview (and more), they are comprised of people that are from nearly any denominational background, but typically hold to a similar worldview. Thus, this identity of non-identity has caused us to find affinity with people we typically wouldn’t. Such an example is Jeffrey Gros, a former president of the SPS who is also a Roman Catholic.
Further Characteristics of a Pentecostal Worldview
With this said, I think there are beliefs that are often characteristic of a Pentecostal worldview and historical classical Pentecostal churches. Some of these are more characteristic than others. Some of these might be considered non-negotiables. These also are reasons why I consider myself a Pentecostal.
Conclusion
I’m confident that some will disagree with what I believe are features or characteristics of Pentecostalism(s). Nevertheless, I think these are the notes played and heard by many Pentecostal communities globally. To those raised in Pentecostal communities, what I have listed probably resonates as a familiar tune or sound. Thus, I have attempted in giving a large-blanket definition of Pentecostalism, one that includes most and excludes few.
Instead of saying, “I’m a Pentecostal because I believe tongues-speech to be the sign of Spirit baptism” I’m a Pentecostal because a panoply of reasons that are characteristic of a worldview. In summary of the above, I think what my friend Dan Morrison posted on his Facebook grasps the heart of what it means to be a Pentecostal. He wrote, “This is what it means to be Pentecostal… to live a life surrendered to the Spirit, making life the adventure that it is.”
What do you think? What does it mean to be a Pentecostal?
If you were to recommend one book to introduce ancient Rome, specifically the demise of the Republic and the beginning of the Empire, which book would you recommend?
Feel free to share more than one recommendation, but let me know which one is your favorite.
Also, if you have time to tell me why it is your favorite I’d like to hear that as well.
